Safety device for saddle stirrups



Patented Mar. 29, 1927.

UNITED STATES MATHEW rrENnmKs, or oGEMA, SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA- SAFETYDEVICE FOR SADDLE STIRRUPS.

Application filed January 22, 1926, Serial No. 85,073, and in CanadaApril 29, 1925.

The purpose of my invention is to provide a means for releasing the footof the rider when he falls, or is thrown from the saddle. I attain thisobjectby the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawing7 in whichFigure l is a vertical view of the stirrup with the invention inposition.

Figure 2 is a vertical view ot that portion or' the stirrup detachedthrough the operation of my safety device.

Figure 3 is a vertical view of that portion of the stirrup remainingafter the operation ot the safety device.

Figure 4 is a horizontal view ot one of the cross bars stretching acrossthe stirrup showing the points of attachment to the stirrup.

Figure 5 is a plan of the other cross bar.

Figure 6 is a section through the shank ot stirrup showing the actuatingspring and the notched portion of shank to allow the lug 011 the crossbar to engage with the recess cut in a stirrup post.

Figure 7 is a section through stirrup post at head of same.

Figure 8 is a .small spring placed in the upper end of the tubular sidesof the stirrup.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The invention consists of two tlat, arched metal bars AA placed oneabove the other extending across the stirrup and each attached by oneend only to opposite sides of the stirrup at EE by hinges permitting thebars to turn in one direction only and each held in position by strongsprings. At FF each bar has a lug fitting into a recess C cut in astirrup post D, through an opening provided .at B. The other end ot' thebars AA have a portion cut out to allow the bars to lie horizontallybetween the two sides of the stirrup and at a sutilcient height abovethe foot plate of' the stirrup to permit easy entrance and withdrawal otthe toot from the stirrup. The two sides of the stirrup are tubular andthe two stirrup posts DD attached to the foot plate K are adapted totelescope in said stirrup sides when inserted from below. In the upperend of the tubular sides ot the stirrup are insertedtwo small springs toassist in holding the stirrup posts DD firmly and securely when inposition. These posts DD and the toot plate K are held in position bythe lugs FF in the bars AA titting into recesses CC in the stirrup postsDD, When the stirrup is in proper position and pressure is appliedbackward on the bars AA they yield inward and because of the lug J onthe lower bar, they yield simultaneously. In turning, the lugs at FF oneach bar are released -from the recesses CC in the stirrup posts DDallowing the toot plate of the stirrup and the stirrup posts to dropout, although retain-ed by a chain attached to the toot plate K and toside of stirrup.

Freni the above description it will be seen that I have invented adevice that will eectively safeguard a rider who has fallen or beenthrown from his horse and is unable to extricate his foot from thestirrup from being dragged along by the horse and there by injured orkilled.

When such an accident occurs the toe of the rider must necessarily pressbackward on the two cross bars AA This pressure would force back thecross bars and in so doing the foot plate K of the stirrup would bereleased and drop out and the foot of the rider would be freed withease.

As many alterations can he made in the above construction withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the claim, it is intended that allmatter contained in the accompanying specifications and drawings shallbe interpreted as illustrative and not iu a limiting sense.

I claim as my invention:

A safety stirrup comprising a yoke having tubular sides, a foot barhaving upwardly projecting posts adapted to telescope in said sides, apair of parallel bars, one end of each ot which is pivoted to anopposite side of the yoke, means for causing` the tree ends of th-e barsto retain the posts in operative posltion, and means on one of the saidbars for causing both to move simultaneously to free said posts whenpressure is applied to said first mentioned loar.

MATHEW HENDRIKS.

